From Taxi Driver to Mayor: Zohran Mamdani Makes History in New York City
New York City, the city that never sleeps, woke up today as a witness to a new chapter of history. A Ugandan-born, Indian-origin Muslim politician who once drove a taxi to pay for his education has now become the mayor of this city. His name is Zohran Kwame Mamdani. At the age of just 34, he has won the highest administrative position in one of the most powerful cities in the world.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991, Mamdani is the son of political scientist Mahmood Mamdani and renowned filmmaker Mira Nair, known for her films “Monsoon Wedding” and “Salaam Bombay.” He moved to the United States with his family as a child and grew up in the Queens district of New York, a neighborhood known for its mix of Bangladeshi, Indian, Latino, African, and Jewish communities. During his school years, he witnessed the struggles of immigrant workers, the neglect of taxi drivers, and the political system’s indifference to ordinary people. These experiences shaped his belief that politics is not only about power but also a responsibility to serve people.
After graduating in African Studies from Bowdoin College, he began working as a taxi driver to support himself. While driving through the streets of New York, he saw how immigrant and low-income workers played a vital role in the city’s growth but were often deprived of fair opportunities. That realization led him into politics. In 2021, he was elected as a member of the New York State Assembly from District 36 in Queens. Just three years later, in 2025, he ran for mayor of New York City.
His campaign slogan was “A City for the Many, Not the Money.” His main promises included rent control, gradual free public transportation, police accountability and a community safety model, higher taxes on wealthy corporations and billionaires, and affordable housing and healthcare for low- and middle-income families. His campaign drew more than 25,000 volunteers, most of them young people, students, and members of immigrant communities. At the beginning, many in political circles dismissed his campaign as an impossible mission.
But the results told a different story. In Tuesday’s election, Zohran Mamdani received 1,036,051 votes (50.4 percent), while his main opponent, former governor Andrew Cuomo, received 854,995 votes (41.6 percent). Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa came in third with 146,137 votes (7.1 percent). With a large margin of victory, Mamdani’s win represents not only a political achievement but also a major social shift.
He was supported by leading progressive politicians including Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Jamaal Bowman, who all described him as the right person to bring people-focused politics back to New York. Cuomo’s campaign was backed by corporate donors, real estate groups, and the old political establishment. The 2025 mayoral election thus became a contest between progressive politics and institutional power.
Former President Donald Trump reacted sharply to Mamdani’s victory, calling it “a dangerous message” and “a sign of New York’s decline.” Trump said that a self-proclaimed socialist becoming mayor of America’s largest city shows how far the country has gone in the wrong direction. In response, Mamdani said, “Donald Trump, I know you’re watching—so turn up the volume.” His brief reply quickly went viral on social media.
Mamdani’s victory was celebrated across New York, particularly in Queens, the Bronx, Jackson Heights, and Brooklyn. Immigrant and Muslim communities were especially jubilant. Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani residents marched on the streets with banners reading, “Our Mayor, Our Hope — Zohran Mamdani.” For the first time in history, New York City has a Muslim mayor. Many see the success of this immigrant’s son as the new face of immigrant America.
New York is now facing a series of serious challenges including rising crime, homelessness, transportation issues, budget deficits, and soaring housing costs. Analysts believe that despite his inspirational leadership, Mamdani will have to confront the city’s tough economic and administrative realities. Mary Lawrence, a political analyst at the City University of New York, said Mamdani’s victory marks an ideological revolution, but now he must deal with the practical realities of New York’s governance.
Zohran Mamdani’s victory is not only that of a single politician but of an entire generation that believes politics can bring change. In his words, this city is a place where someone like him can become mayor, and he wants the next generation to believe that no matter where their roots lie, New York is their home. He will officially assume office as the 110th mayor of New York City on January 1, 2026. Ahead lies a tough road, but New York today is full of hope — in a city where even a taxi driver can become mayor.
